After living in Singapore for 17 years, we have recently made our home in Waconia, Minnesota, a beautiful lake town just 35 minutes west of Minneapolis. When we settled here, we weren’t just looking for a place to live, we were searching for a way to contribute meaningfully to the community. And before long, an unexpected opportunity began to take shape.

We noticed something surprising: within a 10-mile radius spanning several growing towns, a college campus, and vibrant local communities...there wasn’t a single bookstore. That sparked something in us.

As a former college educator with experience running bookstores and working with international book distribution efforts, we’ve seen how a thoughtfully curated, community-oriented bookstore can bring people together, offering more than just books, but a space for conversation, connection, and belonging.

So we got to work.

With support from experienced partners in book sourcing and distribution, we’ve begun the journey to launch a nonprofit bookstore in the heart of Waconia. Our mission is simple but powerful: to create a welcoming space where people of all backgrounds can discover great books, share ideas, and feel part of something bigger.

Our Mission

To build a nonprofit bookstore with a heart for community where our profits go back into supporting causes in the Waconia community like youth mental health. Here’s what drives us:

Connection through Stories: Books open doors to new worlds, fresh perspectives, and meaningful conversations. We want our bookstore to be a place where stories bring lives together.

A Welcoming Third Space: In a time when people are craving connection, bookstores are making a comeback as inviting, in between places, between work and home, where people can gather, slow down, and just be.

Affordable Access to Books: We want to offer high-quality titles at affordable prices, making reading more accessible to everyone.

Serving a Growing Community: Waconia and the surrounding areas are growing fast with new families, diverse cultures, and vibrant local life. This region is ready for a place where curious minds of all ages can come together.

A Place for Purpose: We believe a bookstore can be more than shelves and pages, it can be a hub for creativity, learning, and outreach. Whether you’re here for a book club, a community event, or just a quiet place to read, we want you to feel at home.

This bookstore isn’t just about books. It’s about building something lasting: a space where curiosity is welcome, people feel seen, and community can grow...one story at a time.

Would You Join Us?
Every dollar brings us closer to having a bookstore in Waconia! We are seeking to raise $120,000 needed to launch Lakeside Books. The funds will be used for renovation, inventory and operations start-up. We invite you to consider partnering with us through:

A financial gift or donation - anything from $1 to $10,000 or more is much appreciated!
An angel investment or interest-free loan
In-kind contributions
Participation in upcoming fundraising events

Important Note for Donors: Lakeside Books is a nonprofit corporation that has filed for IRS recognition of 501(c)(3) status. Upon such recognition, which is subject to the IRS's discretion, your donation will qualify as a deductible charitable contribution to the extent the law provides.

Lakeside Books, Waconia MN

By Lakeside Books

Lakeside Books, Waconia MN

Help us launch a community bookstore in Waconia, MN